Could the Lakers Land Walker Kessler in a Sign-and-Trade

What's your take on the situation right now with Walker Kessler in Utah?

Is is there some chance that the Lakers could go land him

to be there big for the future?

Yes, I would say some chance.

I think that's an appropriate way to frame it.

I would not say a great chance.

I would not say a good chance.

I would not say higher than a 50% chance. Right.

But I would say there is some chance the door feels cracked open right now,

depending on the type of offer the Lakers make,

whether that is a financial offer.

And it's just, hey, here's thirty two, thirty three, thirty five million dollars.

And you make Utah sweated out and they're uncomfortable at that number

and they just decide not to match or a potential sign in trade,

in which case you will have to give up some sort of asset,

potentially a first round pick.

I would be open to that if we're giving up a first round pick for Kahlil Ware.

I think Walker Kessler is already better than Kahlil Ware

and more proven and ready for the moment.

So I would easily give up a first round pick for Kessler in a potential sign

and trade that would hard cap you at the first apron.

One thing I've not seen people discuss that I'm planning on discussing

on my show this week, and we can get into it a little bit now if you want,

is there is technically a way for L.A.

to go above the cap, keep everybody

and also execute a sign in trade and stay under the first apron.

That would depend then on like Austin's contract would really matter into this.

That's like one way that Austin's contract could matter if you are hard capped.

But LeBron's contract, Rui's contract, Luke,

you'd probably have to use part of your non-taxpayer MLE on Marcus

unless he's willing to just resign at that like six point three cap hold.

But there is a scenario here where if D.A.

opts out because you tell D.A., hey, we agreed to something with Walker Kessler.

The second free agency starts, we're doing a sign in trade.

He's our center.

You're not going to play.

D.A. opts out, goes elsewhere.

And then you could maybe dump Vando as well if you do those two moves.

And that would require draft capital.

You can acquire Walker Kessler

into your cap sheet, stay under the first apron.

And now you've added Walker Kessler basically to last year's team

in place of D.A., you still would have a little bit

remaining of the non-taxpayer MLE, the part that whatever's

remaining that you gave Marcus, you'd have like maybe one minimum spot left.

And that would be next year's group.